Inmates test positive for drugs in Powell

The Powell County Detention Center's work-release program is on a 60-day hold after urine tests showed some inmates had drugs in their systems, shift supervisor Richard Rogers said.

On Tuesday, based on tips and questions from the public, the jailer asked the state Department of Corrections, the Stanton police department and Clay City police with drug-sniffing dogs to search the jail, Rogers said. The dogs found no drugs, Rogers said, but some inmates, in and out of the work release program, tested positive for drugs.

The Department of Corrections put the hold on the work-release program and is continuing the investigation, Rogers said.

The Powell jail holds 147 inmates, including 37 who were in the work-release program, which allows inmates to leave the jail premises for eight hours a day for work.

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